Tomato Sauce 101

Tomato Sauce 101

What is Tomato Sauce?
Originally from Italy, this sauce uses fresh tomatoes, cooked down to a thick texture, blended with herbs, to use over pasta, meats, or vegetables.

How to Buy:
Prepared sauces are available fresh and refrigerated in 8oz. containers or in jars and cans in an almost endless variety of choices: plain tomato (marinara), olive, green and/or red peppers, cheese(s), vodka, red wine, eggplant, roasted tomato, garden vegetable, garlic and onion, ground beef or sausage, basil, mushroom, and in chunky or smooth texture.

How to Use:
In any recipe that calls for sauce from pasta to lasagna or add as flavoring in burgers or in a marinade.

How to Store:
Refrigerated sauces should always be stored at 40 F. Jar or can varieties can be stored in a cool dry cupboard until ready to use; once opened, refrigerate.

Health Benefits:
Tomatoes are high in fiber and antioxidants, particularly the carotenoid, lycopene, well known for eye health as well as fighting some cancers. Tomatoes, have high amounts vitamins C, A and K, potassium and manganese and trace elements of many other nutrients. Cooking does not seem to diminish the nutrients significantly. Relatively low in calories (70-80), vary in fats from 1 to 5g and in sodium from 360-650mg., all per ½ cup.  Oils can be soybean, canola or olive. The acidity in tomatoes requires some sweetening; sugar is traditional; some lower quality brands use high fructose corn syrup. Organic and salt free available.

Smarter Shopping:
For best value, do not check for per item price, check per-ounce price as container sizes vary from 8 to 15oz. (cans) and 8 to 26 oz. or family sizes up to 4 lbs in jars. Small batch and imported brands can cost up to twice that of domestic brands.

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